Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANNEL STATE INFORMATION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to communication networks,
and
more specifically, to a method and apparatus for channel state information.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate a better
understanding
of the disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read
in this
light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior
art or what
is not in the prior art.
[0003] Communication service providers and network operators have been
continually facing challenges to deliver value and convenience to consumers
by, for
example, providing compelling network services and performance. With the rapid
development of networking and communication technologies, wireless
communication networks such as long-term evolution (LTE) and new radio (NR)
networks are expected to achieve high traffic capacity and end-user data rate
with
lower latency. In order to connect to a network node, a random access (RA)
procedure may be initiated for a terminal device. In the RA procedure, system
information (SI) and synchronization signals (SS) as well as the related radio
resource and transmission configuration can be informed to the terminal device
by
signaling information from the network node. The RA procedure can enable the
terminal device to establish a session for a specific service with the network
node.
SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
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simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description.
This
summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the
claimed
subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the
claimed subject
matter.
[0005] A wireless communication network such as a 5G/NR network may be able
to support flexible network configuration. Various signaling approaches (e.g.,
a
four-step approach, a two-step approach, etc.) may be used for a RA procedure
of a
terminal device to set up a connection with a network node. In a two-step RA
procedure, the terminal device can transmit a RA preamble together with the
physical
uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in a message (which is also known as message A
or
msgA for short) to the network node, and receive a response message (which is
also
known as message B or msgB for short) from the network node. The msgA PUSCH
can be transmitted in a PUSCH occasion (PO) configured with one or more
resource
units (RUs), and the RA preamble can be transmitted in a time-frequency
physical
random access channel (PRACH) occasion (which is also known as a RA occasion
or
RO for short). In order to implement transmission configuration and resource
allocation for the terminal device, the network node may need to know channel
conditions of the terminal device. However, in the RA procedure, there may be
no
dedicated signaling from the network node to inform the terminal device to
perform
measurements on reference signals and report channel state information (CSI)
to the
network node. Therefore, it may be desirable to support CSI request/report in
a RA
procedure.
[0006] Various embodiments of the present disclosure propose a solution for
CSI,
which can enable a terminal device to report the CSI to a network node in a RA
procedure (such as a two-step or four-step RA procedure, etc.), e.g.,
according to a
request for the CSI, so as to increase configuration flexibility and improve
transmission performance of the RA procedure.
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[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a
method performed by a terminal device such as a user equipment (UE). The
method
comprises receiving a CSI request from a network node. The method further
comprises transmitting a CSI report to the network node in a RA procedure, in
response to the CSI request.
[0008] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the RA procedure may
be a two-step RA procedure. According to some exemplary embodiments, the RA
procedure may be a four-step RA procedure, or other RA procedure for which it
may
be needed to support CSI request/report configuration.
[0009] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be indicated by at least one of:
= system information (e.g., some broadcast information or configuration
information from the network node, etc.);
= radio resource control (RRC) signaling;
= downlink control information (DCI);
= a response message to PRACH transmission in the RA procedure;
= a response message to PUSCH transmission in the RA procedure;
= scheduling signaling for uplink (UL) transmission in the RA procedure;
= a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) order; and
= a handover command.
[0010] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the scheduling
signaling for UL transmission in the RA procedure may comprise at least one
of:
= an UL grant for the transmission of the CSI report;
= an UL grant for PUSCH transmission; and
= an indication of changing from the RA procedure to another RA
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procedure.
[0011] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be indicated by an UL grant in a msgB received by the terminal device from the
network node in the two-step RA procedure.
[0012] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI report may be
based at least in part on measurement by the terminal device on one or more
of:
= at least a specific reference signal indicated to the terminal device by
the
network node;
= at least a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block
(SSB); and
= at least a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS).
[0013] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI report may be
configured according to at least one of: a handover command from the network
node,
and a predefined CSI framework.
[0014] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI report may
indicate at least one of:
= reference signal received power (RSRP);
= reference signal received quality (RSRQ);
= signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR); and
= channel quality information (CQI).
[0015] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the transmission of
the
CSI report may be performed by the terminal device on at least one of: UL
resource
scheduled by the network node, and UL resource reserved for PUSCH
transmission.
[0016] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the UL resource
scheduled or reserved for PUSCH transmission may comprise UL resource for an
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initial transmission and/or retransmission of msgA PUSCH.
[0017] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the UL resource
scheduled by the network node may comprise at least one of: UL resource
indicated
by a response message to PUSCH transmission, and UL resource indicated by DCI.
[0018] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the transmission of
the
CSI report may comprise transmitting the CSI report multiplexed with PUSCH.
Alternatively or additionally, the transmission of the CSI report may comprise
transmitting the CSI report as a part of PUSCH.
[0019] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided
an apparatus which may be implemented as a terminal device. The apparatus
comprises one or more processors and one or more memories comprising computer
program codes. The one or more memories and the computer program codes are
configured to, with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least
to
perform any step of the method according to the first aspect of the present
disclosure.
[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a
computer-readable medium having computer program codes embodied thereon which,
when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any step of the
method
according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.
[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided an
apparatus which may be implemented as a terminal device. The apparatus may
comprise a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. In accordance with some
exemplary
embodiments, the receiving unit is operable to carry out at least the
receiving step in
the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, and the
transmitting
unit is operable to carry out at least the transmitting step in the method
according to
the first aspect of the present disclosure.
[0022] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided a
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method performed by a network node such as a base station. The method
comprises
transmitting a CSI request to a terminal device. The method further comprises
receiving a CSI report in response to the CSI request, from the terminal
device in a
RA procedure.
[0023] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be indicated by an UL grant in a msgB transmitted to the terminal device by
the
network node in a two-step RA procedure.
[0024] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the reception of the
CSI report may be performed by the network node on at least one of: UL
resource
scheduled by the network node, and UL resource reserved for PUSCH
transmission.
[0025] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the reception of the
CSI report may comprise receiving the CSI report multiplexed with PUSCH.
Alternatively or additionally, the reception of the CSI report may comprise
receiving
the CSI report as a part of PUSCH.
[0026] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided an
apparatus which may be implemented as a network node. The apparatus comprises
one or more processors and one or more memories comprising computer program
codes. The one or more memories and the computer program codes are configured
to,
with the one or more processors, cause the apparatus at least to perform any
step of
the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
[0027] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided
a computer-readable medium having computer program codes embodied thereon
which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any step of
the
method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
[0028] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is
provided
an apparatus which may be implemented as a network node. The apparatus may
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comprise a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. In accordance with some
exemplary
embodiments, the transmitting unit is operable to carry out at least the
transmitting
step in the method according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure,
and the
receiving unit is operable to carry out at least the receiving step in the
method
according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The disclosure itself, the preferable mode of use and further
objectives are
best understood by reference to the following detailed description of the
embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] Fig.1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary four-step RA procedure
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] Fig.2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary two-step RA procedure
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] Fig.3 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to some
embodiments
of the present disclosure;
[0033] Fig.4 is a flowchart illustrating another method according to some
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0034] Fig.5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to some
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0035] Fig.6A is a block diagram illustrating another apparatus according
to
some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0036] Fig.6B is a block diagram illustrating yet another apparatus
according to
some embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0037] Fig.7 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunication network
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connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with
some
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0038] Fig.8 is a block diagram illustrating a host computer communicating
via a
base station with a UE over a partially wireless connection in accordance with
some
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0039] Fig.9 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a
communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0040] Fig.10 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a
communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0041] Fig.11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a
communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
and
[0042] Fig.12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a
communication system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail
with
reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these
embodiments are discussed only for the purpose of enabling those skilled
persons in
the art to better understand and thus implement the present disclosure, rather
than
suggesting any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. Reference
throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language
does not
imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the
present
disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure.
Rather,
language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a
specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an
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embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the
disclosure
may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled
in
the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without
one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In
other
instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain
embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the disclosure.
[0044] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network
following any suitable communication standards, such as new radio (NR), long
term
evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, wideband code division multiple access
(WCDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), and so on. Furthermore, the
communications between a terminal device and a network node in the
communication
network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication
protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the
second
generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), 4G, 4.5G, 5G
communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or
to be
developed in the future.
[0045] The term "network node" refers to a network device in a
communication
network via which a terminal device accesses to the network and receives
services
therefrom. The network node may refer to a base station (BS), an access point
(AP), a
multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), a controller or any other
suitable
device in a wireless communication network. The BS may be, for example, a node
B
(NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a next generation NodeB
(gNodeB or gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote
radio
head (RRH), a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth.
[0046] Yet further examples of the network node comprise multi-standard
radio
(MSR) radio equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio
network
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controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver
stations
(BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, positioning nodes and/or the
like.
More generally, however, the network node may represent any suitable device
(or
group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or operable to enable
and/or
provide a terminal device access to a wireless communication network or to
provide
some service to a terminal device that has accessed to the wireless
communication
network.
[0047] The term "terminal device" refers to any end device that can access
a
communication network and receive services therefrom. By way of example and
not
limitation, the terminal device may refer to a mobile terminal, a user
equipment (UE),
or other suitable devices. The UE may be, for example, a subscriber station, a
portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT).
The
terminal device may include, but not limited to, portable computers, image
capture
terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music
storage and
playback appliances, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a
tablet, a
wearable device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a vehicle, and the like.
[0048] As yet another specific example, in an Internet of things (IoT)
scenario, a
terminal device may also be called an IoT device and represent a machine or
other
device that performs monitoring, sensing and/or measurements etc., and
transmits the
results of such monitoring, sensing and/or measurements etc. to another
terminal
device and/or a network equipment. The terminal device may in this case be a
machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3rd generation partnership
project (3GPP) context be referred to as a machine-type communication (MTC)
device.
[0049] As one particular example, the terminal device may be a UE
implementing the 3GPP narrow band Internet of things (NB-IoT) standard.
Particular
examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as
power
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meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances, e.g.
refrigerators,
televisions, personal wearables such as watches etc. In other scenarios, a
terminal
device may represent a vehicle or other equipment, for example, a medical
instrument
that is capable of monitoring, sensing and/or reporting etc. on its
operational status or
other functions associated with its operation.
[0050] As used herein, the terms "first", "second" and so forth refer to
different
elements. The singular forms "a" and "an" are intended to include the plural
forms as
well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises",
"comprising", "has", "having", "includes" and/or "including" as used herein,
specify
the presence of stated features, elements, and/or components and the like, but
do not
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements,
components and/or combinations thereof. The term "based on" is to be read as
"based
at least in part on". The term "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" are to be
read
as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" is to be read as
"at
least one other embodiment". Other definitions, explicit and implicit, may be
included below.
[0051] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide
various
telecommunication services such as voice, video, data, messaging and
broadcasts. As
described previously, in order to connect to a network node such as a gNB in a
wireless communication network, a terminal device such as a UE may need to
perform a RA procedure to exchange essential information and messages for
communication link establishment with the network node.
[0052] Fig.1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary four-step RA procedure
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig.1, a UE
can
detect a synchronization signal (SS) by receiving 101 a synchronization signal
and
physical broadcast channel block (which is also known as a SS/PBCH block or
SSB
for short) from a gNB, for example, including a primary synchronization signal
(PSS),
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a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel
(PBCH).
The UE can decode 102 some system information (e.g., remaining minimum system
information (RMSI) and other system information (OSI)) broadcasted in the
downlink (DL). Then the UE can transmit 103 a PRACH preamble (messagel/msgl)
in the uplink (UL). The gNB can reply 104 with a random access response (RAR,
message2/msg2). In response to the RAR from the gNB, the UE can transmit 105
the
UE's identification information (message3/msg3) on PUSCH. Then the gNB can
send 106 a contention resolution message (CRM, message4/msg4) to the UE. In
some
cases, the PRACH preamble (messagel/msgl) may be reattempted by the UE and
different preambles can be selected for the initial transmission and its
subsequent
retransmission(s).
[0053] In the exemplary procedure shown in Fig.1, the UE can transmit
message3/msg3 on PUSCH after receiving a timing advance command in the RAR,
allowing message3/msg3 on PUSCH to be received with timing accuracy within a
cyclic prefix (CP). Without this timing advance, a very large CP may be needed
in
order to be able to demodulate and detect message3/msg3 on PUSCH, unless the
communication system is applied in a cell with very small distance between the
UE
and the gNB. Since a NR system can also support larger cells with a need for
providing a timing advance command to the UE, the four-step approach is needed
for
the RA procedure.
[0054] Fig.2 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary two-step RA procedure
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar to the procedure
as
shown in Fig.1, in the procedure shown in Fig.2, a UE can detect a SS by
receiving
201 an SS/PBCH block (e.g., comprising PSS, SSS and PBCH) from a gNB, and
decode 202 system information (e.g., comprising RMSI and OSI) broadcasted in
the
DL. Compared to the four-step RA procedure as shown in Fig.1, the UE
performing
the procedure in Fig.2 can complete RA in only two steps. Firstly, the UE
sends
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203a/203b to the gNB a message A (msgA) including RA preamble together with
higher layer data such as a radio resource control (RRC) connection request
possibly
with some payload on PUSCH. Secondly, the gNB sends 204 to the UE a RAR (also
called message B or msgB) including UE identifier assignment, timing advance
information, a contention resolution message, and etc.
[0055] In the four-step RA procedure as illustrated in Fig.1, the gNB may
transmit a RAR message to the UE, for example, in response to reception of msg
1 .
According to an exemplary embodiment, the gNB may include a CSI request in the
RAR message, for example, by using a bit reserved for that purpose. It may be
needed to describe how to use this bit. Optionally, a CSI request field may be
introduced (e.g., as defined for NB-IoT in LTE) with the purpose to aid the
physical
downlink control channel (PDCCH) link adaptation. According to another
exemplary
embodiment, the UE can provide the gNB with a CSI report in msg3.
[0056] In the two-step RA procedure as shown in Fig.2, the msgA preamble
and
msgA PUSCH (also called msgA payload) can be transmitted by the UE in one
message called message A (or msgA for short). For the initial transmission of
msgA,
there may be no dedicated signaling from the gNB to inform the UE to start
measurement on some reference signals and report the related CSI in UL
transmission (e.g., the msgA PUSCH) to the gNB. Therefore, it may be needed to
provide a solution for requesting and/or reporting CSI of the UE in the RA
procedure.
[0057] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure propose a
solution for supporting CSI request/report in a RA procedure such as a two-
step or
four-step RA procedure. According to the proposed solution, a CSI request from
a
network node such as a gNB can be informed to a UE via a specific signaling,
and the
UE can make a response to the CSI request by performing measurement on some
reference signals and sending a CSI report to the network node via a UL
channel for
the RA procedure. By applying the proposed solution, the network node can
obtain
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specific CSI of the UE in the RA procedure, so as to enhance efficiency of
resource
allocation and improve flexibility of transmission scheduling. It can be
appreciated
that although some embodiments of the present disclosure are mainly described
in
context of the two-step RA procedure, the proposed solution may also be
applicable
to other RA procedures for which the definition and configuration of CSI
request/report may be unavailable or incomplete.
[0058] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, a UE can determine or
detect a CSI request from network side, for example, by cell-specific
signaling in
system information (e.g., in system information block 1 (SIB1)), by msgB
received in
a RA procedure (e.g., if there is any msgA PUSCH retransmission, alternatively
or
additionally, if there is also an UL grant in msgB for an UL transmission of
the CSI),
and/or by a PDCCH order, etc.
[0059] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the UE can determine
specific reference signals used for the CSI report generation, in response to
the CSI
request. The specific reference signals may be provided or indicated to the
UE, for
example, via system information. Alternatively or additionally, the UE can
determine
one or more SSBs as reference signals to be measured, according to certain CSI
report configuration. The UE may generate a CSI report based at least in part
on the
measurement on the determined reference signals.
[0060] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the UE may send the
CSI report via UL transmission to the network node. For example, the CSI
report
may be included into the initial transmission and/or retransmission(s) of msgA
PUSCH. Alternatively or additionally, the CSI report may be included in some
uplink
control information (UCI) multiplexed with PUSCH or be a field of the PUSCH.
Optionally, the CSI report may be sent to the network node on an UL channel
scheduled by a response message such as msgB received from the network node by
the UE.
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[0061] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the content in the
CSI
report may comprise physical layer-reference signal received power/reference
signal
received quality (L1-RSRP/RSRQ), physical layer-signal to interference plus
noise
ratio (L1-SINR), channel quality information (CQI), etc. Optionally, in the
case that
the CSI report is generated by the UE after reception of a handover command,
the
content in the CSI report may be configured based at least in part on the
handover
command.
[0062] It is noted that some embodiments of the present disclosure are
mainly
described in relation to 5G or NR specifications being used as non-limiting
examples
for certain exemplary network configurations and system deployments. As such,
the
description of exemplary embodiments given herein specifically refers to
terminology
which is directly related thereto. Such terminology is only used in the
context of the
presented non-limiting examples and embodiments, and does naturally not limit
the
present disclosure in any way. Rather, any other system configuration or radio
technologies may equally be utilized as long as exemplary embodiments
described
herein are applicable.
[0063] Fig.3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 300 according to some
embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 300 illustrated in Fig.3 may
be
performed by a terminal device or an apparatus communicatively coupled to the
terminal device. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the terminal
device
such as a UE may be configurable to connect to a network node such as a gNB,
for
example, by performing a RA procedure (e.g., a two-step or four-step RA
procedure).
[0064] According to the exemplary method 300 illustrated in Fig.3, the
terminal
device can receive a CSI request from a network node, as shown in block 302.
In
response to the CSI request, the terminal device can transmit a CSI report to
the
network node in a RA procedure, as shown in block 304. The RA procedure may be
a
two-step RA procedure or other RA procedures for which the CSI request/report
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configuration may be implemented according to some exemplary embodiments of
the
present disclosure. It can be appreciated that the terminal device may receive
the CSI
request prior to or during the RA procedure, depending on specific network
configuration.
[0065] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be indicated by at least one of:
= system information (e.g., SIB1 or any other suitable higher layer
signaling
carrying system information);
= RRC signaling;
= downlink control information (DCI);
= a response message to PRACH transmission in the RA procedure (e.g.,
msgB or any other suitable response message to msgA PRACH);
= a response message to PUSCH transmission in the RA procedure (e.g.,
msgB or any other suitable response message to msgA PUSCH);
= scheduling signaling for UL transmission in the RA procedure (e.g., UL
grant or any other suitable signaling in a response message to msgA
PUSCH);
= a PDCCH order; and
= a handover command.
[0066] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be transmitted via higher layer signaling, such as a system information
message
and/or the dedicated signaling. The system information message can be e.g.
SIB1
from the network node. Optionally, the CSI request in the system information
message can be overwritten by the dedicated signaling (e.g., RRC signaling)
which
may be mainly used when a UE is in RRC connected mode.
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[0067] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be transmitted via Li signaling which can be included in the DCI format for
the
retransmission of msgA PUSCH (if supported). For example, the CSI request may
be
indicated by one or more specific bits in the DCI from the network node.
[0068] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be explicitly indicated in the response message to the msgA PRACH and/or msgA
PUSCH transmission of a UE, e.g., in the msgB physical downlink shared channel
(PDSCH) from a gNB. In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI
request may be implicitly indicated by some specific signaling (e.g.,
scheduling
signaling for UL transmission) in the response message to the msgA PRACH
and/or
msgA PUSCH transmission of the UE. In response to reception of such specific
signaling from the gNB, the UE can be aware of that certain CSI may be
requested by
the gNB.
[0069] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the scheduling
signaling for UL transmission in the RA procedure may comprise at least one
of:
= an UL grant for the transmission of the CSI report;
= an UL grant for PUSCH transmission (e.g., the retransmission of msgA
PUSCH, etc.); and
= an indication of changing from the RA procedure to another RA
procedure (e.g., a fallback indication which can instruct a UE to fallback
to a four-step RA procedure from a two-step RA procedure).
[0070] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be indicated by, e.g., one or more bits reserved in an UL grant in a message
B/msgB
received by the terminal device from the network node in the two-step RA
procedure.
[0071] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be indicated via a PDCCH order (e.g., a PDCCH order in the DCI for triggering
a
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two-step RA procedure). Alternatively or additionally, the CSI request may be
indicated via a handover command prior to the two-step RA procedure.
[0072] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, some channel
measurement by the terminal device may be triggered in response to the CSI
request,
and the terminal device can generate the CSI report according to the channel
measurement (e.g., the measurement on DL reference signals). In some exemplary
embodiments, the CSI report may be based at least in part on measurement by
the
terminal device such as a UE on one or more of:
= at least a specific reference signal indicated to the terminal device by
the
network node (e.g., a reference signal provided/indicated to the UE from
the network side via system information and/or dedicated RRC signaling);
= at least an SSB (e.g. the best SSB detected by the UE, a set of SSBs
determined by the UE according to a specific rule, etc.); and
= at least a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS).
[0073] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI report may be
configured according to a handover command from the network node and/or a
predefined CSI framework. In an exemplary embodiment, the CSI report
configuration may be signaled in the handover command prior to the RA
procedure.
The handover command may trigger the RA procedure (e.g., the two-step RA
procedure) for the terminal device. In another exemplary embodiment, the CSI
report
configuration may be determined according to the predefined CSI framework such
as
a CSI framework as defined in section 5.2.1 of 3GPP TS 38.214 V15.6Ø
Optionally,
the predefined CSI framework may comprise reporting settings, resource
settings,
reporting configurations (e.g., resource setting configuration, report
quantity
configurations, L1-RSRP reporting, etc.). According to some embodiments, the
CSI
report configuration may indicate one or more reference signals to be
measured, how
to calculate or derive CSI according to the measurement on the reference
signals,
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how to generate and/or transmit the CSI report, etc.
[0074] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI report may
indicate RSRP, RSRQ, SINR and/or CQI, etc. According to an exemplary
embodiment, the CSI report may include LT-RSRP, LT-RSRQ, LT-SINR and/or CQI
measured on the specific DL reference signals, etc.
[0075] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the transmission of
the
CSI report may be performed on UL resource scheduled by the network node
and/or
UL resource reserved for PUSCH transmission (e.g., including the initial PUSCH
transmission and/or the potential PUSCH retransmission(s)). The UL resource
may
comprise a channel (e.g., PUSCH, PUCCH or any other suitable channel using
specific time-frequency domain resource) allocated for the UL transmission of
the
terminal device. According to some exemplary embodiments, the UL resource
scheduled by the network node may comprise UL resource indicated by a response
message to PUSCH transmission, and/or UL resource indicated by DCI. For
example,
the CSI report may be transmitted on the channel scheduled by the response
message
such as msgB from the network node. According to some embodiments, the CSI
report may be transmitted in an initial transmission and/or retransmission of
msgA
PUSCH on the PUSCH resources reserved for the msgA PUSCH transmission(s). In
the case that the CSI report is transmitted in the retransmission(s) of the
msgA
PUSCH, the CSI report may be transmitted via a configured grant or dynamic
grant
provided by the network node.
[0076] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the transmission of
the
CSI report may comprise transmitting the CSI report multiplexed with PUSCH
(e.g.,
msgA PUSCH). Alternatively or additionally, the transmission of the CSI report
may
comprise transmitting the CSI report as a part of PUSCH (e.g., within the msgA
PUSCH content). For example, one or multiple parts of CSI may be determined
for
the CSI report. In the case that the CSI report is multiplexed with the msgA
PUSCH,
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various offset values may be introduced for different CSI parts, and the
offset values
may be signaled via RRC signaling or predetermined. If
acknowledgement/negative
acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) is also multiplexed on the same UL channel, the
corresponding offset of ACK/NACK may also be signaled via RRC signaling or
predetermined. Optionally, in the case that the offset values are not signaled
to the
terminal device by the network node, default values may be defined and used
correspondingly.
[0077] Fig.4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 according to some
embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 400 illustrated in Fig.4 may
be
performed by a network node or an apparatus communicatively coupled to the
network node. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the network node may
comprise a base station such as a gNB. The network node may be configurable to
communicate with one or more terminal devices such as UEs which can connect to
the network node by performing a RA procedure (e.g., a two-step or four-step
RA
procedure).
[0078] According to the exemplary method 400 illustrated in Fig.4, the
network
node can transmit a CSI request to a terminal device (e.g., the terminal
device as
described with respect to Fig.3), as shown in block 402. In accordance with
some
exemplary embodiments, the network node can receive a CSI report in response
to
the CSI request, from the terminal device in a RA procedure, as shown in block
404.
As described with respect to Fig.3, the RA procedure may be a two-step RA
procedure or other RA procedures for which the CSI request/report
configuration
may be implemented according to some exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0079] It can be appreciated that the steps, operations and related
settings of the
method 400 illustrated in Fig.4 may be correspond to the steps, operations and
related
settings of the method 300 illustrated in Fig.3. It also can be appreciated
that the
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configuration and contents of the CSI request/report as described with respect
to
Fig.4 may correspond to the configuration and contents of the CSI
request/report as
described with respect to Fig.3, respectively. According to an exemplary
embodiment,
the CSI request transmitted by the network node as described in connection
with
Fig.4 may be the CSI request received by the terminal device as described in
connection with Fig.3. Similarly, the CSI report transmitted by the terminal
device as
described in connection with Fig.3 may be the CSI report received by the
network
node as described in connection with Fig.4.
[0080] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the CSI request may
be indicated by an UL grant in a message B/msgB transmitted to the terminal
device
by the network node in the two-step RA procedure.
[0081] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the reception of the
CSI report may be performed by the network node on UL resource scheduled by
the
network node (e.g., via DCI, msgB or other response message), and/or UL
resource
reserved for PUS CH transmission (e.g., an initial transmission and/or
retransmission(s) of msgA PUSCH).
[0082] In accordance with some exemplary embodiments, the reception of the
CSI report by the network node may comprise receiving the CSI report
multiplexed
with PUSCH from the terminal device. Alternatively or additionally, the
reception of
the CSI report by the network node may comprise receiving the CSI report as a
part
of PUSCH from the terminal device.
[0083] The proposed solution according to one or more exemplary embodiments
can enable a terminal device to report the CSI based on specific reference
signal
measurement to a network node in a RA procedure (e.g., a two-step RA procedure
or
other proper RA procedures), in response to a CSI request from the network
node.
Application of some exemplary embodiments can implement support of CSI
requesting and/or reporting in a RA procedure in a more flexible and efficient
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manner.
[0084] The various blocks shown in Figs.3-4 may be viewed as method steps,
and/or as operations that result from operation of computer program code,
and/or as a
plurality of coupled logic circuit elements constructed to carry out the
associated
function(s). The schematic flow chart diagrams described above are generally
set
forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled
steps are
indicative of specific embodiments of the presented methods. Other steps and
methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to
one or
more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated methods. Additionally, the
order in
which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order
of the
corresponding steps shown.
[0085] Fig.5 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 500 according to
various
embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig.5, the apparatus 500
may
comprise one or more processors such as processor 501 and one or more memories
such as memory 502 storing computer program codes 503. The memory 502 may be
non-transitory machine/processor/computer readable storage medium. In
accordance
with some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 500 may be implemented as an
integrated circuit chip or module that can be plugged or installed into a
terminal
device as described with respect to Fig.3, or a network node as described with
respect
to Fig.4. In such case, the apparatus 500 may be implemented as a terminal
device as
described with respect to Fig.3, or a network node as described with respect
to Fig.4.
[0086] In some implementations, the one or more memories 502 and the
computer program codes 503 may be configured to, with the one or more
processors
501, cause the apparatus 500 at least to perform any operation of the method
as
described in connection with Fig.3. In other implementations, the one or more
memories 502 and the computer program codes 503 may be configured to, with the
one or more processors 501, cause the apparatus 500 at least to perform any
operation
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of the method as described in connection with Fig.4. Alternatively or
additionally, the
one or more memories 502 and the computer program codes 503 may be configured
to, with the one or more processors 501, cause the apparatus 500 at least to
perform
more or less operations to implement the proposed methods according to the
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0087] Fig.6A is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 610 according to
some
embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig.6A, the apparatus 610
may
comprise a receiving unit 611 and a transmitting unit 612. In an exemplary
embodiment, the apparatus 610 may be implemented in a terminal device such as
a
UE. The receiving unit 611 may be operable to carry out the operation in block
302,
and the transmitting unit 612 may be operable to carry out the operation in
block 304.
Optionally, the receiving unit 611 and/or the transmitting unit 612 may be
operable to
carry out more or less operations to implement the proposed methods according
to the
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0088] Fig.6B is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 620 according to
some
embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig.6B, the apparatus 620
may
comprise a transmitting unit 621 and a receiving unit 622. In an exemplary
embodiment, the apparatus 620 may be implemented in a network node such as a
base station. The transmitting unit 621 may be operable to carry out the
operation in
block 402, and the receiving unit 622 may be operable to carry out the
operation in
block 404. Optionally, the transmitting unit 621 and/or the receiving unit 622
may be
operable to carry out more or less operations to implement the proposed
methods
according to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0089] Fig.7 is a block diagram illustrating a telecommunication network
connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with
some
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0090] With reference to Fig.7, in accordance with an embodiment, a
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communication system includes a telecommunication network 710, such as a
3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network 711, such as a
radio
access network, and a core network 714. The access network 711 comprises a
plurality of base stations 712a, 712b, 712c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other
types
of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 713a,
713b,
713c. Each base station 712a, 712b, 712c is connectable to the core network
714 over
a wired or wireless connection 715. A first UE 791 located in a coverage area
713c is
configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base
station
712c. A second UE 792 in a coverage area 713a is wirelessly connectable to the
corresponding base station 712a. While a plurality of UEs 791, 792 are
illustrated in
this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation
where a
sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the
corresponding
base station 712.
[0091] The telecommunication network 710 is itself connected to a host
computer 730, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a
standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as
processing
resources in a server farm. The host computer 730 may be under the ownership
or
control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or
on behalf
of the service provider. Connections 721 and 722 between the telecommunication
network 710 and the host computer 730 may extend directly from the core
network
714 to the host computer 730 or may go via an optional intermediate network
720.
An intermediate network 720 may be one of, or a combination of more than one
of, a
public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network 720, if any, may
be a
backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 720
may
comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).
[0092] The communication system of Fig.7 as a whole enables connectivity
between the connected UEs 791, 792 and the host computer 730. The connectivity
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may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 750. The host computer
730
and the connected UEs 791, 792 are configured to communicate data and/or
signaling
via the OTT connection 750, using the access network 711, the core network
714, any
intermediate network 720 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as
intermediaries. The OTT connection 750 may be transparent in the sense that
the
participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 750
passes
are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, the
base station 712 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an
incoming downlink communication with data originating from the host computer
730
to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 791. Similarly, the base
station
712 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink
communication
originating from the UE 791 towards the host computer 730.
[0093] Fig.8 is a block diagram illustrating a host computer communicating
via a
base station with a UE over a partially wireless connection in accordance with
some
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0094] Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the
UE,
base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now
be
described with reference to Fig.8. In a communication system 800, a host
computer
810 comprises hardware 815 including a communication interface 816 configured
to
set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a
different
communication device of the communication system 800. The host computer 810
further comprises a processing circuitry 818, which may have storage and/or
processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 818 may
comprise one
or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits,
field
programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to
execute
instructions. The host computer 810 further comprises software 811, which is
stored
in or accessible by the host computer 810 and executable by the processing
circuitry
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818. The software 811 includes a host application 812. The host application
812 may
be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE 830 connecting
via an
OTT connection 850 terminating at the UE 830 and the host computer 810. In
providing the service to the remote user, the host application 812 may provide
user
data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 850.
[0095] The communication system 800 further includes a base station 820
provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 825 enabling it
to
communicate with the host computer 810 and with the UE 830. The hardware 825
may include a communication interface 826 for setting up and maintaining a
wired or
wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of
the
communication system 800, as well as a radio interface 827 for setting up and
maintaining at least a wireless connection 870 with the UE 830 located in a
coverage
area (not shown in Fig.8) served by the base station 820. The communication
interface 826 may be configured to facilitate a connection 860 to the host
computer
810. The connection 860 may be direct or it may pass through a core network
(not
shown in Fig.8) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more
intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment
shown, the hardware 825 of the base station 820 further includes a processing
circuitry 828, which may comprise one or more programmable processors,
application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or
combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base
station
820 further has software 821 stored internally or accessible via an external
connection.
[0096] The communication system 800 further includes the UE 830 already
referred to. Its hardware 835 may include a radio interface 837 configured to
set up
and maintain a wireless connection 870 with a base station serving a coverage
area in
which the UE 830 is currently located. The hardware 835 of the UE 830 further
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includes a processing circuitry 838, which may comprise one or more
programmable
processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate
arrays or
combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 830
further comprises software 831, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 830
and
executable by the processing circuitry 838. The software 831 includes a client
application 832. The client application 832 may be operable to provide a
service to a
human or non-human user via the UE 830, with the support of the host computer
810.
In the host computer 810, an executing host application 812 may communicate
with
the executing client application 832 via the OTT connection 850 terminating at
the
UE 830 and the host computer 810. In providing the service to the user, the
client
application 832 may receive request data from the host application 812 and
provide
user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 850 may transfer
both
the request data and the user data. The client application 832 may interact
with the
user to generate the user data that it provides.
[0097] It is noted that the host computer 810, the base station 820 and the
UE 830
illustrated in Fig.8 may be similar or identical to the host computer 730, one
of base
stations 712a, 712b, 712c and one of UEs 791, 792 of Fig.7, respectively. This
is to
say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Fig.8 and
independently,
the surrounding network topology may be that of Fig.7.
[0098] In Fig.8, the OTT connection 850 has been drawn abstractly to
illustrate
the communication between the host computer 810 and the UE 830 via the base
station 820, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the
precise
routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine
the
routing, which it may be configured to hide from the UE 830 or from the
service
provider operating the host computer 810, or both. While the OTT connection
850 is
active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it
dynamically
changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or
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reconfiguration of the network).
[0099] Wireless connection 870 between the UE 830 and the base station 820
is
in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this
disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of
OTT services provided to the UE 830 using the OTT connection 850, in which the
wireless connection 870 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings
of
these embodiments may improve the latency and the power consumption, and
thereby
provide benefits such as lower complexity, reduced time required to access a
cell,
better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime, etc.
[00100] A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring
data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments
improve.
There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the
OTT
connection 850 between the host computer 810 and the UE 830, in response to
variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the
network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 850 may be
implemented in software 811 and hardware 815 of the host computer 810 or in
software 831 and hardware 835 of the UE 830, or both. In embodiments, sensors
(not
shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through
which the OTT connection 850 passes; the sensors may participate in the
measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities
exemplified
above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which the
software 811,
831 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the
OTT
connection 850 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred
routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the base station 820, and it
may be
unknown or imperceptible to the base station 820. Such procedures and
functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments,
measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating the host
computer
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810's measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The
measurements may be implemented in that the software 811 and 831 causes
messages
to be transmitted, in particular empty or 'dummy' messages, using the OTT
connection 850 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.
[00101] Fig.9 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a
communication system, in accordance with an embodiment. The communication
system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those
described with reference to Fig.7 and Fig.8. For simplicity of the present
disclosure,
only drawing references to Fig.9 will be included in this section. In step
910, the host
computer provides user data. In substep 911 (which may be optional) of step
910, the
host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step
920, the
host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In
step 930
(which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data
which was
carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance
with the
teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 940
(which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated
with the
host application executed by the host computer.
[00102] Fig.10 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a
communication system, in accordance with an embodiment. The communication
system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those
described with reference to Fig.7 and Fig.8. For simplicity of the present
disclosure,
only drawing references to Fig.10 will be included in this section. In step
1010 of the
method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not
shown) the
host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step
1020,
the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE.
The
transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings
of the
embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1030 (which may be
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optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.
[00103] Fig.11 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a
communication system, in accordance with an embodiment. The communication
system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those
described with reference to Fig.7 and Fig.8. For simplicity of the present
disclosure,
only drawing references to Fig.11 will be included in this section. In step
1110
(which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host
computer.
Additionally or alternatively, in step 1120, the UE provides user data. In
substep
1121 (which may be optional) of step 1120, the UE provides the user data by
executing a client application. In substep 1111 (which may be optional) of
step 1110,
the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction
to the
received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data,
the
executed client application may further consider user input received from the
user.
Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE
initiates, in substep 1130 (which may be optional), transmission of the user
data to
the host computer. In step 1140 of the method, the host computer receives the
user
data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the
embodiments
described throughout this disclosure.
[00104] Fig.12 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a
communication system, in accordance with an embodiment. The communication
system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those
described with reference to Fig.7 and Fig.8. For simplicity of the present
disclosure,
only drawing references to Fig.12 will be included in this section. In step
1210
(which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments
described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from
the UE.
In step 1220 (which may be optional), the base station initiates transmission
of the
received user data to the host computer. In step 1230 (which may be optional),
the
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host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by
the base
station.
[00105] According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method
implemented in a communication system which may include a host computer, a
base
station and a UE. The method may comprise providing user data at the host
computer.
Optionally, the method may comprise, at the host computer, initiating a
transmission
carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base
station
which may perform any step of the exemplary method 400 as describe with
respect to
Fig.4.
[00106] According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a
communication system including a host computer. The host computer may comprise
processing circuitry configured to provide user data, and a communication
interface
configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to
a UE.
The cellular network may comprise a base station having a radio interface and
processing circuitry. The base station's processing circuitry may be
configured to
perform any step of the exemplary method 400 as describe with respect to
Fig.4.
[00107] According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method
implemented in a communication system which may include a host computer, a
base
station and a UE. The method may comprise providing user data at the host
computer.
Optionally, the method may comprise, at the host computer, initiating a
transmission
carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base
station.
The UE may perform any step of the exemplary method 300 as describe with
respect
to Fig.3.
[00108] According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a
communication system including a host computer. The host computer may comprise
processing circuitry configured to provide user data, and a communication
interface
configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a
UE. The
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UE may comprise a radio interface and processing circuitry. The UE's
processing
circuitry may be configured to perform any step of the exemplary method 300 as
describe with respect to Fig.3.
[00109] According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method
implemented in a communication system which may include a host computer, a
base
station and a UE. The method may comprise, at the host computer, receiving
user
data transmitted to the base station from the UE which may perform any step of
the
exemplary method 300 as describe with respect to Fig.3.
[00110] According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a
communication system including a host computer. The host computer may comprise
a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a
transmission from a UE to a base station. The UE may comprise a radio
interface and
processing circuitry. The UE's processing circuitry may be configured to
perform any
step of the exemplary method 300 as describe with respect to Fig.3.
[00111] According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method
implemented in a communication system which may include a host computer, a
base
station and a UE. The method may comprise, at the host computer, receiving,
from
the base station, user data originating from a transmission which the base
station has
received from the UE. The base station may perform any step of the exemplary
method 400 as describe with respect to Fig.4.
[00112] According to some exemplary embodiments, there is provided a
communication system which may include a host computer. The host computer may
comprise a communication interface configured to receive user data originating
from
a transmission from a UE to a base station. The base station may comprise a
radio
interface and processing circuitry. The base station's processing circuitry
may be
configured to perform any step of the exemplary method 400 as describe with
respect
to Fig.4.
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[00113] In general, the various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in
hardware or special purpose chips, circuits, software, logic or any
combination
thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other
aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a
controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure
is not
limited thereto. While various aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this
disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or
using
some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks,
apparatus,
systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as
non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits
or
logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or
some
combination thereof.
[00114] As such, it should be appreciated that at least some aspects of the
exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components
such as integrated circuit chips and modules. It should thus be appreciated
that the
exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be realized in an apparatus that
is
embodied as an integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit may comprise
circuitry
(as well as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data
processor,
a digital signal processor, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry
that are
configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of
this
disclosure.
[00115] It should be appreciated that at least some aspects of the exemplary
embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in computer-executable
instructions,
such as in one or more program modules, executed by one or more computers or
other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,
components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement
particular
abstract data types when executed by a processor in a computer or other
device. The
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computer executable instructions may be stored on a computer readable medium
such
as a hard disk, optical disk, removable storage media, solid state memory,
random
access memory (RAM), etc. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art,
the
function of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in
various embodiments. In addition, the function may be embodied in whole or
partly
in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits, field
programmable
gate arrays (FPGA), and the like.
[00116] The present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of
features disclosed herein either explicitly or any generalization thereof.
Various
modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this
disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view
of the
foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
However, any and all modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-
limiting
and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.
34
